JULY 26, 1999

Trulli to Jordan?

PROST GRAND PRIX's Jarno Trulli is tipped to be on his way to Jordan Grand Prix next year, to replace the retiring Damon Hill. Trulli is highly-rated by Jordan and it seems that he is available as the Prost-Peugeot package has not been as competitive as expected this year and there is a performance clause in his contract which would allow him to move on. There is an added complication in that Benetton retains an option on Trulli although with Giancarlo Fisichella and Alexander Wurz expected to stay there would be no room for him. It is also worth mentioning that Benetton's future is less than clear as there is no long-term plan for an engine deal and the team's sponsors are beginning to get edgy about the future. Trulli might prefer to stay where he is if his only choice was to go to Benetton.

Jordan did take a good look at Fisichella but his contract has a $13m buy-out clause which is far too expensive for the team to contemplate. The rumors that David Coulthard and Eddie Irvine have been talking with Jordan are probably true but both are asking too much money in comparison to Trulli and both have suffered at the hands of team-mates in recent years. Jordan is looking for a topline star for the future and Trulli is the obvious candidate. The other possibility is British American Racing's Ricardo Zonta but he is under contract to the team next year, except if McLaren take up an option they have on the Brazilian before the end of August. This is unlikely to happen as Coulthard will probably stay at McLaren for another year.